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Henna is the oldest method of temporary tattooing, and has been around for thousands of years. Henna paste is created from the leaves of a plant and a few additives such as eucalyptus oil for binding purposes and lemon juice or coffee or tea to help release the colors.

You can also purchase kits and apply the henna yourself. Just as with airbrushed tattoos, starter kits are available online and in stores for people who want to do their own henna tattoos. They include henna powder and even stencils, although traditionally henna is applied freehand.

Traditional Options: In India, henna designs have been painted on the hands and feet of women preparing for ceremonies such as weddings. These intricate and abstract designs are usually painted in the forms of swirls, dotted lines, flowers, etc. This is still the most common option of henna tattoo applied by a professional.

Recently Popular Options: Some henna artists now create designs such as animals, butterflies, tribals, Chinese symbols, and other designs similar to those found in permanent tattoos. For those who want to apply their own henna tattoos, henna kits are now available for purchase. Most come with a variety of stencils.

Application: Henna paste is traditionally applied to the skin in a freehand design. If no stencil is used, the person creating the pattern should have some artistic talent, skill and experience. Henna tattoos can last up to two to four weeks, so it is important to choose an artist who is an established practitioner.

Henna paste is a dye, so it stains more deeply the longer it is left on the skin. However, it does not penetrate the skin, but only stains the upper layers of dead skin. The paste should be allowed to dry and peel off on its own, often for several hours or even overnight. The pattern will darken over the first few days after application, and your skin type and the quality of the henna will help determine the final shade of the design. On light skin, it will appear brown, and on darker skin it will be more red.

WARNING! Beware of getting a tattoo with "black henna" or from anyone who claims that the resulting design will be black. There is no henna that will be naturally black, and any henna paste resulting in a black tattoo probably contains coal tar (p-phenylenediamine or PPD). This chemical has caused many people to suffer allergic reactions that can burn the skin and leave scars. The reaction can even cause recurring skin problems that will last for years and flare up with exposure to other chemicals or even dark clothing. Before getting a henna tattoo, make sure the paste contains nothing besides henna, essential oils like eucalyptus or tea tree oil, and liquids such as lemon juice, tea or coffee.

ENJOY! There are many inexpensive options out there for those who want to explore body art but who aren't ready to visit the tattoo parlor just yet. If you'e afraid of needles, if you can't yet afford a tattoo, or if you just know you don't want something permanent, maybe temporary tattoos are for you. Even if you DO want a permanent tattoo, you may want to explore some temporary designs as your "trial runs" before you make that final commitment of time and money. If you haven't yet decided where to get your ink or what you want to depict, go ahead and invest in a few decals, an airbrushed tattoo, or some henna. Seeing something temporary on your skin can help you really decide what you want there permanently.